Francis Bacon: ‘‘Of Garden’’ Unit 3

UNIT 3: FRANCIS BACON: “OF GARDEN”

UNIT STRUCTURE
3.1 Learning Objectives
3.2 Introduction
3.3 Explanation of the Essay
3.4 Major Themes
3.5 Style and Language
3.6 Let us Sum up
3.7 Further Reading
3.8 Answers to Check Your Progress
3.9 Model Questions

3.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After going through the unit, you will be able to:
• discuss the text of the essay in details
• explain the themes that emerge from the text
• discuss the style and language of the essay
• appreciate the message evident in the essay

3.2 INTRODUCTION
A world without trees and plants would be a very dull and desolate
place to live in. Indeed,Nature and its giftssustain humanity in more ways
that we can imagine. In this unit, the essay titled “Of Garden” by Francis
Baconprovides a detailed insight into the ways in which we could develop
our interest in gardening, mix and match with our flowering plants, fruit
trees, shrubs, herbs and hedges all round the year, in keeping with our
climate and seasonal calendar.
Bacon inspires in us the joy of gardening, as well as, garden
landscaping which is an interesting pastime or a hobby worth cultivating.
As it is rightly said, “When gardeners garden it is not the plants that grow,
but the gardeners themselves”, there is certainly a sense of magic in what
gardens and gardening can inspire in us. Another famous quotation by the

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English writer Rudyard Kipling goes, “gardens are not made by sitting in
the shade”, so let us be inspired and also inspire others to go out in the
sun, take our watering cans along, dig into the dampness of soil, plant little
seedlings and nurture saplings into life.
In the following sub section, the essay “Of Garden” has been
explained in details for the ease of your reading and comprehension.Some
of the names of the flowering plants and trees may be new to you as Bacon
talks about several varieties, most of which are not native to our geographical
location; nevertheless, you could make an effort to expand your knowledge
about these varieties and even try to find out what they look like. So let us
begin!

3.3 EXPLANATION OF THE ESSAY

The essay starts with the words that Almighty God was the first to
have planted a garden. A garden is a retreat, a refuge for the human soul
and also one of “the purest of human pleasures” as Bacon writes. We can
very well imagine how desolate the world would be without plant-life or flora
which is not only a source of human sustenance but is also essential for
human well-being. If only skyscrapers and concrete constructions stood
tall all around us, without any greenery, we as human beings would be very
lonely and barely survive on this planet. Could you imagine a world without
birds, bees, butterflies, little creatures and in fact the varied forms of animal-
life that is dependent on the flora? Bacon opines that there should be
beautiful gardens with plants and seasonal blooms all round the year and
then he goes on to describe a list of various fruits and ornamental plants
that are ideal for the changing seasons in the calendar.
Juniper, cypress-trees, yew, pine-apple trees, fir trees, orange-trees,
lemon-trees, holly, ivy, bays, rosemary, lavender, periwinkle (white, blue
and purple), germander, flags, myrtles and sweet marjoram are best suited
for the months of late November, December and January which stay green
during the winter months. In the latter part of January and February, the
mezereon tree blossoms along with crocus vernus (yellow and grey),
primroses, anemones, tullippa, hyacinthusorientalis, chamiris and fritellaria.
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For the month of March, the early blooms of blue violets, yellow daffodil,
daisy, sweet briar, almond-tree, peach tree and cornelian tree followed by
the April blooms of double-white violet, the wall flower, the stock-gilliflower,
the cowslip, flower-de-lices, various lilies, rosemary, tulippa, double piony,
daffodil, French honeysuckle, dammasin, cherry-tree, plum-tree, lilac tree
and white thorn. The months of May and June find flowers such as bluish
pink, all kinds of roses (except musk), honeysuckles, strawberries, bugloss,
columbine, French marigold, flos Africanus, vine flowers, lavender, sweet
satyrian, herba-muscaria, lilium convallium, cherry-tree, fig-tree, apple-tree,
ribes and rasps.
In the month of July, varieties of gilliflowers, musk-roses, genitings,
quadlings, lime-tree, pears and plum-trees can be grown followed by apricot-
trees, barberries, filberds, musk-melons and monks-hoods (of all colours)
in August. Then in September, poppies (of all colours), melocotones,
nectarines, cornelians, wardens, quinces, grapes, apples and peaches can
be grown and in the months of October and early November, are ideal for
services, medlars, bullaces, holly oaks and the best time for rose cuttings.
Although, Bacon specifies that these plants are ideal for the climate of
London, yet he also wishes to get across his message that regardless of
the geographical place to which we belong, all our gardens can bloom in
“verperpetuum” (in the words of Virgil) or in other words eternal spring
throughout the year if we follow the yearly roster of gardening and nurturing
plants.
Moreover, natural air is best perfumed with the sweet fragrance or
“breath of flowers” which is as delightful as the flow of soft music in the air
and therefore, it is necessary for enthusiasts to know the best of fragrant
flowers and plants for a pleasant environment. Flowery blooms are always
better in the garden than plucked in our hands. The sweet fragrance of
flowers like roses and damasks are quickly dispelled without any traces,
so much so, that one may walk across a row of these flowers and yet find
no traces of fragrance, even if they are fresh in the morning dew. Although,
perfumes are made from the extracts of these flowers, yet they have fast
evaporating fragrances. Similarly, even as we use bay leaves for culinary
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purposes, they do not have any smell as they grow just like rosemary and
sweet marjoram. The most sweet smelling flower that are violets bloom
twice a year, in April and in late August during the festival of St. Bartholomew.
Another flower that stands second in the sweetness of its smell is musk-
rose, followed by the dying leaves of strawberry that yield a very pleasant
fragrance and the flowers of vines. This is followed by sweet-briar and wall-
flowers that are ideal to be grown under a parlour or lower chamber window,
pinks and pink clove variety of gilliflowers, flowers of lime-tree and
honeysuckles.
Although, Bacon skips talking about bean flowers as they are ideal
as field flowers, yet he considers the other sweet smelling flowers that not
only go unnoticed but are also mostly ignored. One not only passes by
these sweet-smelling flowers but also crushes them under their feet without
noticing such as the burnet, wild thyme and water-mints. Therefore, one
must plant these in alleys to experience the pleasure of their smell when
one happens to walk past these.
This is followed by Bacon’s description of fountains which are not
only beautiful in the artistic sense but are also refreshing unlike pools which
often tend to have flies and frogs. There are two types of fountains; one is
often carved of marble that spouts or sprinkles water and the other is carved
and embellished like a basin free of any fish, slime or mud. The spouting or
sprinkling fountains must be cleaned regularly by hand in order to avoid
growth of moss or decaying matter and the basin-like bathing pools must
also have water that is in motion and not stagnated. These water fountains
add to the aesthetic beauty of the gardens but do not have much to contribute
to our health.
Then the portion of heath must be framed to appear neat and natural
with thickets of sweet briar, honey-suckle and wild vine. Flowers like violets,
primroses and strawberries that are not only sweet but also grow well in
shade can be grown at the base in an inter-mixed pattern. Bacon also prefers
little heaps with growth of wild thyme, pinks, germander, periwinkle, violets,
strawberries, cowslips, daisies, red roses, lilium, convallium, red sweet-
williams, bear’s-foot and such flowers that are both pleasant in appearance
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and fragrance. Some of the shrubs that must be grown along with these
heaps of flowers are roses, juniper, holly, barberries, red currants, goose-
berries, rosemary, bays and sweet briar among others which must be pruned
from time to time. Thus, Bacon ends the essay with his brief plan and idea
of a “princely garden” to the best of his preferences and ability. For the part
of princes, they depend on the advice of workmen, bearing great expenses,
adding unnecessary statuettes or other ornamental things for “state and
magnificence”, missing the real joy of planned gardening.

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Q 1: How does Francis Bacon begin the essay
“Of Garden”?
............…………………………………………........
……..........................…………………………………………........
Q 2: What are the varieties of flowers found in the months of July to
August?
…..........................…………………………………………........
…..........................…………………………………………........
Q 3: Why is it necessary for gardening enthusiasts to know the best
of fragrant flowers and plants?
…..........................…………………………………………........
…..........................…………………………………………........
Q 4: What are the two types of fountain described by Bacon?
…..........................…………………………………………........
…..........................…………………………………………........

3.4 MAJOR THEMES

Some of the significant themes of the essay are as discussed below:

Gardening as an Enriching Experience: The beauty of Bacon’s

essay “Of Garden” is in the importance that it accords to gardens which
most often does not find a place of discussion in many essay volumes by
writers. In the daily humdrum of life, a well-tended Garden could be little

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haven for our weary souls, a place to breathe in fresh air and a repose of
delight that reminds us to celebrate God’s little creations.
The discussion on gardens stems from Bacons own interest in
gardens and garden planning. His insights into garden planning can be read
as an extension of French gardening practices during the Renaissance
period. Some of the important aspects of French gardens were water
fountains, menageries for exotic animals and aviaries for birds. However,
Bacon seems to like his garden to be tidy and peaceful, which is why he
only suggests water fountains in his garden plan. The English and the French
are well-known to have cultivated the art of geometrical garden landscaping.
Moreover, the French were themselves very much inspired by Chinese
and Italian garden landscaping.If we are to discuss some of the most beautiful
Renaissance French gardens of the world the names would be: Chateau
de Ambroise, Chateau de Fountainebleau, Chateau de Villandry, Tuileries
Gardens or Luxembourg Garden among others.
In the context of modern times, the beautiful ‘Dubai Miracle Garden’
in the United Arab Emirates has to be seen to be believed for it is not only
aesthetically captivating but it also happens to be the world’s largest natural
flower garden with a million variety of garden blooms. In India, the ‘Zakir
Hussain Rose Garden’ in Chandigarh is one of the largest Rose gardens in
Asia that not only houses a variety of roses (almost 1600 species) but also
medicinal plants. Closer home, we have protected spaces where orchids
are cultivated like the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary and Orchid Research Centres
at Tipi in Arunachal Pradesh. You could very well imagine the wonder of
seeing tens of thousands of orchid plants growing inside a regulated glass
house.
Landscape Gardening: In the essay “Of Garden”, Bacon makes it
a point to express his sense of aesthetics or rather his sense of artistic
beauty that can be derived from a planned garden or garden landscaping.
This is precisely to enhance the aesthetic pleasure of gardening enthusiasts
as he himself was in his time.Thus,Bacon moves on to discuss the “prince-
like” gardens which must be ideally thirty acres of land which are divided

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into three segments i.e., green entrance leading to a heath and then the
main garden which would be flanked by alleys on either sides. A well-trimmed
green entrance is a delight to the eyes and a “stately” hedge that encloses
the main garden is a surprise to the visitor. The long stretch of alleys must
be shaded from the sun with knotted plants such as vines or climbers
growing on supporting frames (trellises) or pillars of at least twelve feet in
height with the help of skilled carpenters. Herbs could also be planted in
various patterns with the use of coloured sands.
According to Bacon, it is best for the main garden to be square-
shaped and to be surrounded by arched hedges which are to be further
surrounded by a gentle slope set with flowers according to the specifications
that he provides inside. It must also be flanked by side alleys that lead from
the ‘shaded alleys’ to the core of the garden as described above. The
enclosed space of the main garden is left to our own diverse preferences;
although Bacon does advice that the garden must not be choked with cut-
out shapes on juniper or other ornamental trees (such creations are only
perfect for children or children parks). He prefers low ornamental hedges,
columns upon carpenter’s frames, spacious alleys with a central mount
(thirty foot high) with three paths that provides a perfect view of the entire
garden and a banquet house for light meals.
The side-grounds must have a variety of alleys which must be shaded
in parts from the sun. These alleys like shaded galleries would also provide
shelter from sharp winds. The shaded alleys must have edges on both
sides; have fine gravel in place of grass (that tends to be soggy), with little
flowers and a few fruit trees. The ends of the alleys would have little mounds
providing a breast-high view of the enclosed garden from the walls of the
tall hedges. It would do well for the main garden to have fruit-trees or tufts,
with little garden arbours or shelters and seats. Above all, the main garden
must be airy and spacious and not choked with plants and ornamental
decorations. The shaded alleys are perfect covers of protection from
excessive heat or winds and the best time to be in the main garden is
during mornings and evenings (particularly in summers) or during cloudy

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weather. Bacon does not prefer ‘aviaries’ (that houses birds) unless they
are large, clean , not covered with grass and have living plants for birds to
nestle and have a little space to themselves. Thus, we find that Bacon
provides a geometrically divided and a clearly outlined garden plan to his
readers through his informative essay.

3.5 STYLE AND LANGUAGE

The volume of essays by Bacon took shape over a long period

of time during which he read, re-read and revised his writing drafts several
times to provide his succinct observations and significant reflections on
various aspects of human lives. The first edition of Essays comprising ten
essays was dedicated to his brother Anthony and was published in 1597,
which was followed by another publication comprising thirty-eight essays,
published in 1612. A second edition of Essays comprising fifty-eight essays
and collectively titled Essays or Counsels, Civil or Moral was published in
1625. In the introduction to The Essays of Francis Bacon (1908), Mary
Augusta Scott writes thus, “[i]n the Essayes or Counsells, Civill and Morall,
the method is ever to reduce reflection to its lowest terms, to try discover
the fundamental principle of conduct that influence the actions of men”,
thereby highlighting the significance of the essays written by Bacon.
An introduction to the work titled Bacon’s Essays: A Selection
(1977) discusses how Bacon’s work differs from that of the French essayist
Michel de Montaigne in the sense that although both the writers developed
their notes from commonplace books, the former did not prefer to infuse a
personal element in his essays while the latter did. Elsewhere, it also notes
the wide-ranging aspects or rather wide-variety of matter contained in the
precise format of his essays. In the introduction to the work Francis Bacon
(1996), the essayist and his works are reviewed thus,

“Bacon’s place in English imaginative literature, we can argue, has

been earned by his unceasing experimentation with so many different
genres, from aphorisms and apothegms to dialogues and speeches,

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essays and treatises, fables and masques. But it also derives from
his excellence as a writer within these often hybrid works” (xxx)

In the present unit, we get a reflection of Bacon’s keen sense of

aesthetics which he presents in a clear and crisp style of writing. The text
of the essay that we discussed is an English translation from the Latin version
in which it had been written. The essay like most of his reflective essays
reminds the readers of the writings by famous other essayists like Montaigne
or Plutarch. Bacon was a voracious reader of the classical masters who had
inspired his individual style of writing. The learner may also note the use of
old archaic words in his writings but the prescribed essay is easily
comprehensible.

Bacon’s essays are written in an aphoristic and conversational

style which relatively makes them reader-friendly. They are replete with
aphorisms (general truth or principles), moral truisms and practical
suggestions on various aspects such as human nature and philosophy,
virtues and vices, society and state, reality and practices. The English writer
and critic, Ben Jonson who was a friend and contemporary of Bacon
appreciated his stylistic presentation of thoughts. Similarly, even the
nineteenth century writers like William Hazlitt and the Romantics regarded
the works of Bacon with much enthusiasm. His Essays had firmly
established his literary credit that also finds an apt description in the
introduction to Francis Bacon: The Major Works (1996) in the words,

“Bacon’s writings have long enjoyed a firm place in English literature.

The qualities that continue to attract readers are powerful intellectual
grasp, analytical penetration, a mastery of the expressive resources of
language, the ability to adapt style to subject-matter and purpose” (xx).

Thus, further exploration of Bacon’s volume of essays shall provide you

with a wider perspective on the reflections and meditations of the essayist
which have a universal appeal and relevance to our own daily lives.

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Unit 3 Francis Bacon: ‘‘Of Garden’’

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Q 5: How should a “prince like” garden be
divided according to Bacon? Mention the
three divisions.
........……………………...……………………………………………
........……………………...……………………………………………
Q 6: Give a brief description of the first and second edition of the
essay volume by Francis Bacon.
..................................................…………………………………..

3.6 LET US SUM UP

A complete reading of the essay “Of Garden” will provide you with a
detailed idea on the various kinds of flowering plants and trees that add to
the beauty of gardens as also described by Francis Bacon. Apart from
widening your knowledge of various seasonal plants suited to the English
climate, it has also familiarised you to some of the innovative ways in which
gardens can be planned, nurtured and developed irrespective of one’s
geographical location or climate. The unit also discusses some of the
emergent themes along with the style and language of the essay.
Also, it will encourage you to read some of the other practical essays
penned by Francis Bacon which are short and very informative. Moreover,
it is hoped that the essay will enable you to appreciate the art of gardening
and also inspire others towards cultivating their interest.

3.7 FURTHER READING

1. Chaudhuri, Sukanta. (ed.) (2006). Bacon’s Essays: A Selection. Oxford

University Press: New York.
2. Nandwani, Aditya. (ed.) (2009). Bacon’s Essays. Anmol Publications.
New Delhi.
3. Scott, Mary Augusta. (1908). The Essays of Francis Bacon. C. Scribner
and Sons, Harvard University Collections.
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Francis Bacon: ‘‘Of Garden’’ Unit 3

4. Vickers, Brian. (ed.) (1996). Francis Bacon: The Major Works. Oxford
University Press: New York.
5. Vickers, Brian. (ed.) (1968). Francis Bacon and Renaissance Prose.
Cambridge University Press.

3.8 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Ans to Q No 1: The essay starts with the words that Almighty God was the
first to have planted a garden. A garden is a retreat, a refuge for the human
soul and also one of “the purest of human pleasures” as Bacon writes.

Ans to Q No 2: In the month of July, varieties of gilliflowers, musk-roses,

genitings, quadlings, lime-tree, pears and plum-trees can be grown
followed by apricot-trees, barberries, filberds, musk-melons and
monks-hoods (of all colours) in August.

Ans to Q No 3: Natural air is best perfumed with the sweet fragrance or

“breath of flowers” which is as delightful as the flow of soft music in
the air and therefore, it is necessary for enthusiasts to know the best
of fragrant flowers and plants for a pleasant environment.

Ans to Q No 4: There are two types of fountains; one is often carved of

marble that spouts or sprinkles water and the other is carved and
embellished like a basin free of any fish, slime or mud.

Ans to Q No 5: According to Bacon, “prince-like” gardens must ideally not

be any less than thirty acres of land which must be further divided
into three segments i.e., green entrance leading to a heath and then
the main garden which would be flanked by alleys on either sides.

Ans to Q No 6: The first edition of Essays comprising ten essays was

dedicated to his brother Anthony and was published in 1597, which
was followed by another publication comprising thirty-eight essays,
published in 1612. A second edition of Essays comprising fifty-eight
essays and collectively titled Essays or Counsels, Civil or Moral was
published in 1625.

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Unit 3 Francis Bacon: ‘‘Of Garden’’

3.9 MODEL QUESTIONS

Q1: Explain the text of the essay “Of Garden” by Francis Bacon.

Q2: Discuss some of the emergent themes in the essay “Of Garden”.

Q3: Analyse the style and language employed by Francis Bacon in his essay
“Of Garden”

Q4: Describe the “prince-like” garden that Bacon discusses in his essay
“Of Garden”.

Q5: What are the important factors while creating a planned garden as
discussed by Francis Bacon?

*******

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